Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Alaska Airlines is experiencing record-breaking international growth in 2025, driven by soaring demand for travel between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The airline has significantly expanded its operations to key resort destinations in Mexico, major Canadian cities, and high-traffic transborder hubs. This strategic focus on leisure, diaspora, and cross-border business travel has allowed Alaska Airlines to capture new markets, increase flight frequencies, and solidify its role as a leading carrier for international routes from the U.S. West Coast.
Alaska Airlines has significantly broadened its global reach by increasing international flight services departing from the United States. West Coast by aggressively targeting high-demand leisure destinations across Mexico and Central America. The airline has capitalized on surging travel demand from California, Oregon, and Washington by offering direct flights to sun-soaked coastal cities and culturally rich Latin American hubs.
Alaska Airlines Anchors Its Growth in Mexican Leisure Routes
Mexico has become the centerpiece of Alaska Airlines’ international strategy. Thirteen of its twenty busiest international routes connect West Coast airports to Mexican resort destinations, making Mexico its most dominant international market. Cities like San Jose del Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán receive consistent year-round service fueled by vacationers and VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) travelers.
Alaska Airlines operates its busiest international route between Los Angeles and San Jose del Cabo. With 150 flights per month and more than 25,000 seats, this route generates over 23 million Available Seat Miles (ASMs). San Diego also maintains a strong presence, with 116 monthly flights to San Jose del Cabo, while San Francisco contributes 76 flights, placing this route fifth overall.
The airline also connects Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta with 96 flights per month, producing over 20 million ASMs. San Francisco and San Jose routes to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara further strengthen the airline’s footprint across the Pacific coast of Mexico. These routes consistently perform due to their appeal to both leisure travelers and diaspora communities.
Los Angeles Serves as Alaska’s International Powerhouse
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) serves as the central hub for Alaska Airlines’ international departures.
Ten of its top twenty international routes originate from LAX, emphasizing its importance in connecting Southern California to destinations across Mexico and Central America.
From LAX, Alaska Airlines flies to three Central American destinations—San José and Guanacaste in Costa Rica, and Guatemala City. Each route operates 62 times monthly and exceeds 21 million ASMs. The LAX–Guanacaste route leads in ASM count, reaching over 27 million, highlighting its value despite lower seat capacity compared to Mexican routes.
The LAX–San José route follows closely with 26.8 million ASMs, and the LAX–Guatemala City connection holds strong with 21.6 million ASMs. Alaska Airlines has effectively captured demand in both leisure and VFR segments on these long-haul routes. LAX also provides nonstop service to Cancun, Guadalajara, Mazatlán, Loreto, and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, reinforcing its role as a comprehensive international hub.
Seattle Plays a Strategic Supporting Role
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) remains vital to Alaska Airlines’ international strategy. While Seattle doesn’t match LAX in international volume, it supports significant routes to Mexico and Canada. Alaska’s SEA–San Jose del Cabo service ranks fourth in ASMs, with 82 monthly flights that reflect the Pacific Northwest’s enthusiasm for tropical escapes.
The airline also serves Puerto Vallarta and Vancouver from Seattle. While the Vancouver route focuses on short-haul connectivity with just 34 flights and under 800,000 ASMs, the Puerto Vallarta route ranks 18th with 12.1 million ASMs, reflecting strong demand for Mexican vacations.
A key international connection in Alaska Airlines’ network links Seattle directly to Toronto.
With 62 flights per month and 22.7 million ASMs, this transcontinental route ranks seventh overall and supports both business and international leisure travelers. The addition of Toronto demonstrates Alaska’s effort to diversify beyond the vacation market.
San Jose and San Francisco Extend Alaska’s Reach
Alaska Airlines continues expanding its international operations from Northern California. San Jose and San Francisco provide high-value connections to Mexican cities, driven by tech professionals and families traveling between the Bay Area and Latin America.
Among Alaska Airlines’ busiest international routes, San Francisco to San Jose del Cabo holds the fifth spot, followed by Puerto Vallarta to San Francisco in sixth. The airline also maintains nonstop service from San Jose to both San Jose del Cabo and Guadalajara. These routes maintain high year-round demand, allowing the airline to tap into niche markets without competing directly with major carriers.
Although San Jose operates on a smaller scale than LAX or SEA, Alaska Airlines sustains these routes by serving high-yield origin and destination (O\&D) traffic. These markets consistently deliver revenue through frequent, direct links to Mexico’s most visited resort areas.
Top International Routes by Volume and Reach
Alaska Airlines’ top international routes reflect its focus on sun destinations. The following list highlights the most significant by flights, seat capacity, and ASMs:
Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo: Operates 150 monthly flights, offers 25,370 seats, and delivers approximately 23 million available seat miles (ASMs).
- San Diego–San Jose del Cabo: 116 flights
- LAX–Puerto Vallarta: 96 flights, over 20 million ASMs
- Seattle–San Jose del Cabo: 82 flights, nearly 26 million ASMs
- SFO–San Jose del Cabo: 76 flights
- Puerto Vallarta–SFO: 68 flights, nearly 19 million ASMs
- Seattle–Toronto: 62 flights, 22.7 million ASMs
- LAX–Guanacaste: 62 flights, 27.2 million ASMs
- LAX–San José: 62 flights, 26.8 million ASMs
- LAX–Guatemala City: 62 flights, 21.6 million ASMs
Other important routes include LAX–Cancun, LAX–Mazatlán, LAX–Loreto, and LAX–Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, as well as Seattle–Vancouver and San Jose–Guadalajara.
Alaska Targets Niche and Underserved Destinations
Alaska Airlines has also carved out space in niche international markets. For instance, its route between Los Angeles and Belize City ranks 15th overall with 36 monthly flights and over 13 million ASMs. This connection links Southern California directly to Belize’s Caribbean coast—an underserved market with growing tourism appeal.
Lower-density routes such as Los Angeles–Loreto and Los Angeles–Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo further illustrate Alaska’s commitment to providing service on secondary leisure routes. These flights attract vacationers through seasonal demand and premium travel packages. Many routes benefit from codeshare agreements with oneworld partners, enhancing global connectivity and passenger reach.
In 2025, Alaska Airlines is achieving record international growth as strong demand from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada drives expanded flight operations to popular resort cities, major cultural destinations, and key transborder markets.
Alaska Airlines has firmly established itself as a leader in international leisure travel from the U.S. West Coast. By focusing on high-demand destinations across Mexico and Central America, the airline has built a resilient and strategically diversified international route network. With key hubs in Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, and San Jose, Alaska Airlines continues to expand its footprint through both high-volume routes and underserved markets—positioning itself for long-term growth in the competitive international travel landscape.
